The Times of India            15.02.2014

Municipal corporation against house tax hike

CHANDIGARH: The municipal corporation (MC) has asked the UT administration to allow it to seek property tax from residents on the existing rates in the financial year beginning from April even though UT was pressing it to enhance the charges.

The demand was made in a letter to the local bodies wing. "The letter was sent following the common view of public representatives. We are yet to get any reply,"
said Rajiv Kumar Gupta, joint municipal commissioner, MC.

Anil Kumar, home-cum-secretary, local bodes wing, UT, said, "We have received the letter. We are yet to decide the next course of action. But, we are not in favour of burdening the people. The tax amount should be rationalized and justified."

Sources said the letter was written a few days back following the meeting of municipal councillors. Mukesh Bassi, a councillor, said, "The tax should not burden the public but provide facilities to them. There is no reason to enhance the amount."